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0 0 <br />Exhibit H - Wildlife Information <br />The new phases are expected to have a minimal impact on <br />wildlife during the course of operations. This existing pit <br />has been worked for a number of years, thus much of the <br />disturbance which could occur probably already happened. Mining <br />has the effect of immediately displacing animals inhabiting <br />the area to be disturbed and animals using the area for foraging <br />and hunting. According to ratings criteria relating soils, <br />vegetation types, and wildlife habitat potentials, the existing <br />affected area -- particularly the wooded area to the west of <br />the pit-- would be considered good for riparian- woodland <br />wildlife habitat. <br />The elements of potential wildlife habitat are rated on <br />a basis according to the amount of vegetation that is available <br />to wildlife as food and cover. The kind and abundance of <br />wildlife that populate an area depend largely on the amount <br />and distribution of food, cover and water. If any one of these <br />elements is missing, inadequate, or inaccessible, wildlife <br />becomes scarce or does not inhabit the area. the area adjacent <br />to the existing pit are pastured by domestic livestock but <br />produce plants that provide food, cover and some nesting areas <br />that are primarily attractive to rodents and ground-dwelling <br />birds, and the predators that feed on these animals. Nearby <br />wooded areas provide an abundance of cover and nesting areas. <br />The major species likely to transplant to or inhabit the <br />site or immediately adjacent areas are given below. There is <br />only one threatened or endangered species known to occasionally <br />frequent the actual area to be affected by the operation - the <br />Bald Eagle , using the tall trees as winter roosting areas. <br />There are no known roosting sites within the amendment area. <br />Gosney and Sons, Inc. has created a Wildlife Mitigation <br />Plan in conjunction with the Colorado Division of Wildlife office <br />in Durango, Colorado that encompasses almost all of the entire <br />permitted area of the Gosney and Sons gravel pit. A copy of <br />the_. p .an _i.s !nco_r_porated_ into this submittal for review. <br />Hearing on Permit No. M-1987-038 <br />Bayfield Pit No. 1